EXPLORING

Day 239 / 365



A photographer friend had told me about a disused railway tunnel not far from where we live so on the weekend we thought we'd go and explore.  I didn't realise it was a bit of a hike to the tunnel and that the tunnel was long and dark and of course we didn't take a torch.  There was also a lot of water dripping through the rocks and in the very middle of the tunnel it was pitch black!  Anyway we made it through but if anything had flown past my head or brushed my arm you wouldn't have seen me for dust.  It's amazing how brave you are when you have children with you!!  It did make for some lovely photos though so there you go!

Finally back out in daylight!!! :)

THE RESULTS

Day 238 / 365



Well today presented the opportunity to make some headbands.  These are a couple I've done so far.  The top one was already made but I turned it into a headband.  I think the silver one is  my favourite.

CREATING

Day 237 / 365



I feel a creative day coming up this weekend.  I picked up this gorgeous silk material today and cute little buttons.  I'm going to make some newborn headbands with this lot for myself and a fellow photog friend.  Keep a look out for the end result.

CAREFREE

Day 236 / 365



I totally love this image I took today.  Yes she has lost a hand and her clothes are way uncordinated with varying shades of pink but I still love it.  It was a beautiful spring day so we went to the park for a play while our baking cooked. 

WATER

Day 235 / 365

"Write your worries in sand

Carve your blessings in stone."

LATEST CRAZE

Day 234 / 365



Uno has become the latest game in our house.  Max plays it at school and now has us all playing it at home.  I love that him and Miss A are at an age where they can sit down and play these games together.

TOMATOES

Day 233 / 365

The first tomato to come off our tomato plants.......wonder if it will be ripe by xmas?  It's been in the kitchen for a couple of weeks and no sign of getting any riper.

MISS A AND MUMMY

Day 232 / 365

I rarely find myself on this side of the camera so I took the opportunity this morning to get a shot of Miss A and myself before we headed off to a birthday party.  Technically I didn't take this shot but I set it up so Mike just had to focus and press the shutter.  

THINGS WE DO..

Day 231 / 365

This is my oven.......well passed it's use by date I think.  The red stick on the side is what I use to hold the door shut so the heat doesn't escape.  It also had a nasty habit of turnng itself onto grill instead of oven so that the top of what you are cooking gets burnt to a crisp before you realise the bad smell and smoke!!  It's amazing how we adapt to using things like this - I know everything takes  a lot longer to cook in this oven and forget about doing a nice roast...unless you have all day to cook it!

SLUMBER

Day 230 / 365



She musn't have been feeling the best.  She came home from school and crashed out on the couch listening to her favourite story cd.  It's been a long time since she slept during the day.

Day 229 / 365



This little one has taken to visiting us several times a day.  He comes to the window in the kids toyroom or the kitchen and will then sit at Max's bedroom almost as if he's looking for us.  I love that we get a lot of birds in our garden and can always hear the birds waking up at sunrise.

I think we will have to have a competition to name this little guy.

NATURE AS IT IS

Day 228 / 365

standing present.  no expectations. just being and accepting what is.

you can  feel the peace and serenity that comes from nature.

REALITY

Day 227 / 365

How very cute is this little man, but boy there was no way he was going to have anything to do with sleeping.  I am going to have to brush up on my baby whispering skills to get these little bundles to sleep in the future.  I have to say though I am glad I got some awake photos because he had the brightest eyes and was so focused on his surroundings.

THE PERFECT MODEL

Day 226 / 365



This is the perfect newborn model.  Maybe not as cute but very easy to pose.........if only they were this easy, but then again there wouldn't be much of a challenge it they were this obliging.

I decided to try out a few poses with Miss A's doll Milly in preparation of the newborn shoot the following day.

GREEN POWER

Day 225 / 365



Since buying my blender last week I have had lots of fun experimenting with smoothies.  I found this recipe online and was sceptical about how good it would actually taste but was pleasantly surprised.  It is made from spinach, orange juice, and honey.  Plenty of vitamins in there and an awesome way to start your day....if you have a blender give it a try, your body will thank you.

THE SMELL OF SPRING

Day 224 / 365



My spring bulbs are still going strong in the garden.  There is nothing better than the smell of spring flowers in the house.

SUMO MOUSE AND MR STRONG

Day 223 / 365



For the past few weeks after dinner these two turn into 'Sumo mouse and Mr Strong' and 'wrestle' each other on the mat.  It is the funniest thing to watch and often little Mr Strong ( who really should be Miss Strong) gets the better of her brother and has him pinned to the floor.  I have come to resign myself that there may be some good in play fighting as long as it doesn't turn serious and anyone gets injured!

THE CRUISE SHIP

Day 222 / 365



Max has spent the last couple of days constructing this cruise ship from his lego.  Inside the ship was a play area, cafe, dance floor, swimming pool, cabins and so much more.

FREEDOM

Day 221 / 365



EMPOWERING OUR CHILDREN

Day 220 / 365



This is a game I call scenarios which I made up for my children and we regularly play at the dinner table.  Basically I put everyday scenarios onto paper and the children choose one out of the box and we discuss what their action would be.  The scenarios can be anything from what they would do if faced with bullying, using manners or how to keep safe.  I have found it to be a great tool when circumstances come up in the childrens' lives that need to be discussed.  As they get older the scenarios will change to be more relevant.  It also gives an opportunity to open communication lines about things that we often forget to discuss until a situation arises. 

BOXES OF JOY

Day 219 / 365



The childrens' school are doing a donation of shoeboxes filled with small gifts which will be sent overseas to children less fortunate for xmas.  The kids had a great time choosing a few things to go in their boxes.  We hope they will bring joy to those that receive them.

SMOOTHIES

Day 218 / 365

I think these are going to become my latest craze.  They are a great healthy way to start the day and with all the gorgeous fruits coming into season I'm going to have a ball.  Now to just convince the kids that spinach works in a smoothie!  This one was made with apple, raspberries, mandarin and some juice.

BLING

Day 217 / 365



Miss A made me this lovely necklace at kindy.  Usually they are made out of pasta or the likes but not this one!

SPRING

Day 216 / 365



Although it isn't officially spring for another month, today was the first day it hasn't rained in what seems like weeks.  I went outside and found lots of spring flowers in the garden and couldn't resist bringing a little spring inside.

On a side note I was happy to get this shot in front of the doors.  Shooting inside against a window or door can be a challenge because there are two exposures involved - the bright outside light and the darker indoor subject.  I tried using two exposures and was going to join them then decided to use full flash instead.  Although there are still blowouts of the sky outside I still managed to get both the backgound outside and the flowers inside exposed well together.

THE WOODS

Day 215 / 365

"Use what talents you possess, the woods would be silent

if not bird sang there except those that sang best."

DANCING IT OUT

Day 214 / 365



There are times when you just have to crank up the music and dance it out!

NEW DO

Day 213 / 365



I got the haircut I've been thinking about for a while.  Something a little {lot} shorter with more shape.  I really like it although Max told me it looked weird.......hmm could that be boy speak for it's nice?